China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2024, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (5): 2210-2218.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2024.05.041

• Basic Veterinary Medicine • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Isolation and Identification,Drug Resistance and Pathogenicity Analysis of A Rhodococcus equi Strain from Horse

DUAN Xingxun1, LIU Lu1, GAO Shiwen1, MA Yuhui2, CAI Tao3, LIU Laizhen1, GU Weifang1, ZHAO Hongqiong1   

  1. 1. Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China;
    2. Zhaosu County Xiyu Horse Industry Co., Ltd., Yili 835600, China;
    3. Xinjiang Agricultural Vocational and Technical College, Changji 831100, China
  • Received:2023-11-03 Online:2024-05-05 Published:2024-04-28

Abstract: 【Objective】 Rhodococcus equi infection can cause fatal suppurative pneumonia in the host.In order to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment,the biological characteristics of Rhodococcus equi isolate from lung pus of a dead foal in Xinjiang was analyzed.【Method】 The lung pus samples of dead foal were collected for bacterial isolation and culture.The species were identified by colony morphology observation,Gram staining,biochemical reaction,16S rRNA PCR amplification and sequencing,and the genetic evolution relationship was analyzed.The drug sensitivity of the isolate was determined by drug-sensitive disk diffusion method.The pathogenicity of the strain was evaluated by mouse infection test.【Result】 The isolated strain grew well on the NANAT plate,and the colonies were black and viscous,and the TSA medium was milky and slime.Blunt circles at both ends or rod-shaped Gram-positive bacilli were detected by Gram staining microscopy.The results of biochemical reaction showed that the isolated strain did not ferment carbohydrate and produce indigo matrix,did not liquefy gelatin,oxidase negative,decomposition of urea.16S rRNA sequencing results showed that the isolated strain and Rhodococcus equi strain WGC11 were in the same branch and were closely related.The results of drug sensitivity test showed that the isolated strain was resistant to polymyxin B and β-lactam drugs,and sensitive to other selected antibiotics.The results of pathogenicity test in mice showed that the mortality rate of mice was 33.3% (2/6) within 4 days of abdominal attack.Necropsy of the remaining surviving mice showed abscess and hemorrhage in lungs,swelling,bleeding and stasis of the liver and spleen.Histopathological observation showed that spleen,liver and lung tissues had different degrees of pathological changes. 【Conclusion】 A pathogenic Rhodococcus equi strain was isolated and identified from the lung samples of foal in Xinjiang.The strain had strong pathogenic ability and natural drug resistance.The results laid a theoretical foundation for the research and control of the pathogenic mechanism of Rhodococcus equi.

Key words: Rhodococcus equi; isolation and identification; genetic evolution; drug resistance; pathogenicity

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